FOOD BANKS

Phoenix food banks see traffic spike as SNAP benefits delayed

Hundreds of vehicles line up as patrons wait to pick up food at St. Mary's Food Bank of Arizona Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, in Phoenix. (Associated Press/Ross D. Franklin)

Ross D. Franklin

While federal courts decided the U.S. Department of Agriculture must release contingency funds for those who receive food stamp benefits, the timing of when those funds will be released is still in question.

While those people wait to receive their funds, Valley food banks have stepped in to help bridge the gap.
And they are seeing the impact with increased requests, local officials say.

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